Light reflecting device



July` l2, 1938.` v Y F SMITH 2,123,478

LIGHT REFLECTING DEVICE Filed March l0, 1936 rarement July 12, laas s'rrss ll Claim.

This invention relates to a novel and useful light reflecting device adapted to be worn on the coat sleeve of 'a pedestrian or automobile driver so as to reect the light from the headlights of y, an approaching automobile to warn the driver of the latter of the presence of the pedestrian, or

to reflect the light from the headlights of a following automobile so that the driver of the latter may readily discern and `identify the various motion and direction signals given bythe hand of the automobile driver wearing the present device.

The primary object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a light reflecting device adapted to be worn by pedestrians or automobile drivers to promote their safety and safe driving at night time.

A more speciilc object of the present invention,

stantially or at least half Way around the coat' sleeve so asto be illuminated by light rays striking the same from the front, rear or side.

A still more specific object of the present invention is to provide a light reilecting device of the above kind including means for securing the light reflecting element on. a coat sleeve so lthat said element may be readily removed from sight when not required for use.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a light reflecting device of the above character which is extremely simple in construction and economical to manufacture, emcient in use, and easy to apply to a coat sleeve.

Other objects and 'features of the present invention will become apparent from the following do 'description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary elevational view of a coat sleeve provided with a light reflecting device embodying the present invention.

of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a. View somewhat similar to Figure 1 of a modiiied form of the invention.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section on line 4 4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an inside elevational View of a still further form of light reflecting device embodying the present invention.

and

Figure 2 is a transverse section on line 2--2l Figure 6 is a section on line 64-6 of Figure 5;

(Gl. 88u30) Figure "7 is a fragmentary section through the light reecting element as constructed in all forms of the invention, the device being drawn on an enlarged scale to more clearly illustrate the construction.

Generally stated, the present invention includes a light reflecting elementin the form of a ilexible strip-like member adapted to be applied to the sleeve of a coat at or adjacent the cud of the sleeve, and being of a length t'o extend substantially or at least half way around the coat sleeve for reflecting light rays striking the same at various angles from the front, rear, or outer side. This light reilecting element consists essentially of a translucent or transparent light transmitting ilexible strip of material such as colored celluloid. This strip is indicated at li and is provided on its rear surface with a suitable light reflecting material t, such as a coating of bronze paint. Also, the strip 5 is preferably embossed to provide substantially throughout its entire area a series of similar small prismatic portions arranged in transverse and longitudinal rows so as to not interfere with the longitudinal flexing of the strip. lBy providing these prismatic portions, the reflecting element will reflect light striking the same from practically every angle, as is generally well known in the art. If. desired, the light reflecting element may be carried by or stitched to a cloth backing sheet 'l of similar form and size.

Associated with the light reflecting element above described, is a means for attaching said light reflecting element to the sleeve of a coat so that such element may be readilyremoved from sight when not required for use. For this purpose, the light reflecting element may be applied to the coat sleeve so as to be completely removable therefrom. Securing means suitable for this manner of use may consist of an elastic strap 8 stitched at its ends to the ends of the light relectingelement or its cloth backing 'l as shown in Figure 2. With this arrangement, the light reflecting element and the strap t combine to form a band adapted to snugly and completely encircle the coatv sleeve e at 'or adjacent the cuil it.

The device may also be applied directly on the cuff of the coat sleeve so as to be removable therefrom, in which case suitable spring clips Il may 'be attached to the back of the reiiecting element at the ends of the latter for 4engagement with the curl of the coat sleeve so that the reflecting element willbe conformed with the cuff and held thereon in an obvious manner.

Another method of attachment may consist in providing the light reecting element with a projecting flexible tab I2 along one longitudinal edge adapted to be stitched to the inside of the cuil? of a coat sleeve adjacent the lower edge of the cuff as at I3 in Figure 4. This arrangement permits the light reflecting Aelement; to be placed outside the cuff as shown by full lines in Figures 3 and 4. or inside the cuiI where it is removed from sight, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 4. In either cas/e, the light reflecting element Will remain in its/adjusted position due tothe attachment of the tab I2 and the curvature of the cui of the coat sleeve and the reecting device at this point.

'I'his form of the invention also provides for removal of the reecting element from sight although not permitting detachment thereof from the coat sleeve. The tab I2 may consist of an integral extension on the cloth backing 1, which backing is preferably used to afford a measure of protection for the coat sleeve and to provide durable means of attachment for the strap 8, clasps II or tab I2.

With the device applied to a coat sleeve as i1- lustrated, it will be readily seen that light from the head-lights of approaching automobiles will be eiectively reflected so as to promote safety,

either by warning the driver of an automobile of the presence of a pedestrian wearing the device, or by enabling the driver of an automobile to readily discern and identify signals executed by a wearer of the device when driving another automobile.

While I have shown and described certain specific embodiments and details, it will be apparent that the invention is susceptible of various changes and modications such as fairly fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim as new is:

The combination with a coat sleeve, of a light reflecting signalling device comprising a lustrous exible strip-like light reecting element conforming to and extending atleast half way around said coat sleeve, and means securing said light reflecting element on the coat sleeve so that said light reflecting element isreadily removable from sight, said last-named means including a exible tab carried by the light reflecting element along one longitudinal edge of the latter and stitched to the inside of the coat sleeveadjacent and along the lower edge of said sleeve, whereby the light reflecting element may be disposed at the outside or at the inside of the sleeve.

HOBART FREDERICK SMITH. 

